King William's College, Isle of Man.
[In the year 1672, Charles II. gave to Sir Arthur Forbes the sum of
600l., to be applied to the use of the Presbyterian ministers in
Ireland. He professed not to know how to bestow it in a better manner,
as he had learnt that these ministers had been loyal, and had even
suffered on his account; and as that sum remained undisposed of in "the
settlement of the revenue of Ireland," he gave it in his charity to
them. This was the origin of the _Regum donum_. As the dissenters
approved themselves strong friends to the House of Brunswick, George
I., in 1723, wished too to reward them for their loyalty, and, by a
retaining fee, preserve them stedfast. A considerable sum, therefore,
was annually lodged with the heads of the Presbyterians, Independents,
and Baptists, to be distributed among the necessitous ministers of
their congregations.]
_Who was the Author of "Jerningham" and "Doveton?"_ (Vol. viii., p.
127.).--MR. ANSTRUTHER begs to decline the compliment; perhaps the
publisher of the admirable _History of the War in Affghanistan_ can find a
head to fit the cap.
Oswestry.
[On a reference to our note-book, we find our authority for attributing
the authorship of these works to Mr. Anstruther is the _Gentleman's
Magazine_ for September, 1837, p. 283. In the review of _Doveton_ the
writer says, "There is in it a good deal to amuse, and something to
instruct, but the whole narrative of _Mr. Anstruther_ is too
melodramatic," &c. However, as he declines the compliment, perhaps some
of our readers will be able to find the right head to fit the cap.]
_Alma Mater._--In Ainsworth's _Latin Dictionary_ I observed he limits the
use of that expression to Cambridge. I have been accustomed to see it used
for Oxford, or any other university. What is his reason for applying it to
Cambridge alone?